Rapid film wind device



D. c. HARVEY 2,575,012

RAPID FILM WIND DEVICE Filed Dec. 30, 1947 Nov. 13, 1951 DO UGLASS c. HAm/EY I N V ENTOR W w KW4M ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 13, 1951 2,515,012 RABLD EILM WINDDEVIGE Dhug as Q- H i'vev, Rochester, Y assignor ta man da mpanvg Rheheste Ni a corporation hf ew Jersey, Application Qecen her 30, 1947, Serial No. 794,637

' a earneicato permitthe rapid an am e erwindihsentiite y'e hiihated. num r usfehme era m e anjisms have been devis d in the. past by which he fil may he ae u'rat ly m ter d withou the nece sity hi h iihet eiepher observ ng ihdi ia on he film or film leachin paper' hrhuah awindow in the, back of. the eeh e a whe eh' 'he eha e aiii th t hefi'lhi' is orrec ly po iti ned for each exposure. Such mechanisms often in; e u a s r ck t a ap ed t9 th rotated b the erter ge f thevfilm. s it is w i hd be tw n the pply a d a -h 519 915 and an a ci ed e hi-eh w i h rota e by th sp k t a ed rm n d ahw u t l a i hs device is caused to engage the winding mechanism to preclude further rotation thereof. Such a device is disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent 2,063,331, granted on December 8, 1936 to August Nagel. The locking element in that device cemprises a pawl which engages 'ajr-atch-et wheel: In the Nagel camera, however, the film is wow-1e upon the take-up 'spool'hy means of a conventional knob on the spool-engaging spindle. The hand-manipulation ofsuch a knob isa comparatively slow method of rotating thewinding spintile and the present invention is directedto the provision of an improved winding mechanism which permits an easier and more rapidrotatioh of the film spool and which is adapted to-beiused with a, film-metering device of'the type employe ing a pawl stop, such as is disclosed in the above Nagel patent.

Although particularly adapted for use in a camera with a film-metering device suchas described above, the present winding mechanism may be used independently. of any film-metering device, wherever a more efficient and expeditious hand-winding mechanism other than that proe vided by the conventional hand lsnob, is deemed-y Eor that matter he present invention will have application tside of the. field e cameras, whenever an eme e t handew iicl n mechanism s de sired.

It istherefei ob ect of this iK EIfl'iiQIkEQ provide an m roved winding mecha ism,

l is aho tthe prhieet en it ta ed t e 8 Clai ns. 01. 24241 whi h i part cul rly adapte r use i rell fi m It is a t l ur her objec hi th s inven ion. ta provide n impro d film n whichaden to coopera 'Wi ha fih meter ne m eni tie i e of heiti ht i' he'film tor suc es ive Lt is v till, urt er object at h s inven io to! pioj i i 'ns devit'e of'f'the chaiaeter de rh ci Whieh. 1 simhle i eohshh tieh re atively i xpe i e; and'eiiiti hp ratiohi t er object and adva tes s of t e in ehtiehj wi l ecome a p t fr 3.5 oh taken in onn i g dr ihg. nd it will he u ide etqe tha ma y chan e ma h made i the. tai s Q t u e and i aneemehthf Par s 'shew d t seri e l w ho depar om t e spiri f th nve o as expr ed n e ac o p ying claims. I, therefore, to not wish to be limited to the exact detailss'hown and described, as the ref r d or n y ha en hewn y we illustration.

In the drawing:

Figl 1- is a plan view of the film-wind device showing the hand operated, winding lever in retracted. position? 7 "me. 2 is a similar plan view showing the ratchet sectorof thewinding lever engaged by the filmmetering pawl, arresting further winding of the take-up spool;

Fig. '3 is an'elevational view, partly in section, of the unidirectional Windingmechanism; and Fig. 4 is a section taken'on the line l toi Fig. 3. I i

The winding mechanism embodying the r press-i ent invention comprises 'apinion 1:0, sleeve liLaa winding shaft 12, and a non-=iiotatable element 13, all of which are assembled coaxially. The pinion H] has an integral coaxial projection 14 which provides a cylindrical clutch surface l5. pinion this journalled upon the sleeve, the latter having an integral projection 15, which provides a cylindrical clutch surface H. The cylindrical clutch surfaces 15 and all are of like. curvature and p siti ned adj ce t to sash. other to form. in effect, .a continuous surfi ee, 1. .A. coil spring I8., having no. positiveiconneetion'ta anyof the elements of the w nding mechanism, is wound about the two. cyli drical suefaaes 11.15, nd H. and is neiimaliy shet tieti h 4' tac t erewi h-J hen the. pin o it! in h s! is. r ated one d r cti e ee s ise tie-we rom ehwe), the FQE iQI hi e 's e we seam causes the coil spring to tighten upon the clutch surf-aces l and I1, thus increasing the frictional engagement of the spring with these surfaces. The spring and cylindrical surfaces thus function as a clutch and the rotation of the pinion transmits a corresponding rotation to the sleeve Upon. reversing the direction of rotation of the pinion l9, the spring wound about the projection I4 is correspondingly rotated, causing the radius of the coil to increase, thereby decreasing the frictional engagement of the spring with the several cylindrical surfaces. The spring thus slips relative to these surfaces and the rotation of the pinion results in no corresponding rotation being transmitted to the sleeve II. The spring and associated clutch surfaces I5 and I! thus function as a unidirectional clutch.

Fixedly secured to the sleeve II is the winding shaft |2. The reduced end of shaft l2 providesa shoulder |9 upon which are assembled, as noted in Fig. 3, a washer 29, the sleeve H and a bearing ring 2|. These are secured in nonrotatable relation on the shaft |2 by means of a retaining washer 22 and a screw 23 which threads into one end of the shaft. The combined thickness of the bearing ring 2| and the washer 29 plus the height of the sleeve being slightly greater than the length of the reduced end of shaft |2, threading of the screw 23 into the winding shaft I2 will force the retaining washer 22 into tight frictional engagement with the bearing ring, thereby securing the bearing ring 2|, the sleeve II and the washer 29 in nonrotatable engagement with each other and with the winding shaft l2. Although the sleeve and bearing ring 2| are illustrated herein as separate elements, they may, of course, be integrally formed. The height of the pinion I9 and projection I4 is only slightly less than the distance between the sleeve projection I6 and the washer 29 to permit relative rotation betweenthe pinion and the sleeve. The other end of the shaft l2 terminates in film spool engaging means 24. i

Below the shoulder IS the shaft |2 presents a bearing surface 25 which is journalled in the non-rotatable element |3. 'The non-rotatable element I3 is fixedly securedto a panel 26 in the body of the camera, the outer surface 21 of the element |3 constituting a cylindrical clutch surface. An enlarged portion 28 on the end of the shaft adjacent to the film spool engaging means 24 provides a fourth cylindrical clutch surface 29. Cylindrical surfaces 21 and 29 are of like curvature and are positioned adjacent to each other to form, in effect, a continuous surface. A coil spring39 having no positive connection to any of the elements of the winding mechanism, is wound in a direction opposite to that of coil spring I8 about the two cylindrical surfaces 21 and 29. The spring 39 like spring I8 is normally in slight frictional contact with the corresponding clutch surfaces. As described above, rotation of the pinion ID in a clockwise direction transmits a corresponding rotation to the sleeve and to the winding shaft |2 to which the sleeve is fixed.- But since the coil spring 39 is wound in a direction opposite to that of coil spring l8, the rotation of the sleeve and shaft by the pinion tends to increase the radius of coil 39 which precludes the transmission of a torque from the winding shaft to the non-rotatable element I3, thus permitting the shaft to rotate relative to element I3 and thereby wind the film 3| upon the take-up spool 32.-

Rotation of the winding shaft |2 in an opposite or counterclockwise direction, however, is prevented by the spring 39 and associated clutch surfaces 21 and 29, since such rotation causes the spring to more firmly grip those surfaces as the radius of the coil tends to decrease. This arrangement thus prevents tension in the film from unwinding film from the take-up spool. Moreover, any small torque which might possibly be transmitted to the winding shaft through the sleeve H by a counterclockwise rotation of the pinion will not cause the film spool 32 to unwind the film since the winding shaft is secured against such rotation by the above-described I element l3, the washer 29 is provided to serve as spacing means between the two elements. Coil spring I8 is retained in position by the pinion IB and the bearing ring 2| which provide shoulders confining the spring therebetween. Similarly, coil spring 39 is held against endwise displacement by the panel 26 and a shoulder 33 integrally formed on. the enlarged portion 28 on winding shaft l2.

To prevent backlash of the winding shaft after a section of film has been found upon the takeup spool, a sleeve 34 is provided which fits loosely about the coil spring 39, as may be noted in Figs. 3 and 4. When the winding shaft is rotated in a clockwise direction, which tends to expand the coil, that is, increase its diameter, the sleeve 34 prevents non-uniform expansion of the coil convolutions which would result in the coil 39 acting as a torsion spring. This condition would in turn result in the spring 39 rotating the winding shaft a small amount in a counterclockwise direction upon'release of the hand lever 38, as the spring 39 assumed its normal position about the cylindrical surfaces 21 and 29. The sleeve 34, however, functions to prevent any coil convolutions from expanding more than the others with the result that the coil functions only in its clutch capacity and not as atorsion spring. A similar sleeve may be provided, ifdesired, about the coil spring I 8. While each of the springs is described above as having no positive connection with any of the elements of the winding mechanism, it is apparent that one end of either or each coil may be secured to one of the elements about which it is wound, although this is not necessary.

A plate 35 is, fastened to and spaced from the panel 26 by the stud 36 and the bolt 31. The plate provides a bearing for the bearing ring 2| on the end of the winding shaft and serves to support the winding mechanism within the camera body. ,The plate and supporting stud and bolt have other purposes which will later become apparent.

Rotation of the pinion |9 is effected by means of the hand-operated lever 38 which is journalled upon the bolt 31. One end of the lever is provided with the hand knob 39, the other end with a composite gear and ratchet sector 49. This sector, as noted in Fig. 1, has gear teeth 4| on one edge thereof and ratchet teeth 42 on the other. The gear teeth 4| engaging the pinion l9 cause it to rotate when the lever 38 is rotated. Clockwise rotation of the lever as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 produces a like rotation of the pinion which is transmitted by the clutch spring Hi to the winding shaft l2, as above described, which causes the film tobe wound upon accepts ifeachesthe end of its travel, as shown in Fig. 2, the-lever is released and automatically returned to its initial position by-thecompressed spring 43. The latter is wound centrally about the bolt 31, one end of the spring bearing upon the stud; 36 and the other bearing upon a pin 44 secured to the lever 38. The return of the lever rotates the pinion in a counterclockwise direction but, as described above, such-rotation transmits no torque to the sleeve H since the counterclockwise rotation of the pinion tends to Open upthe coil spring 3- with the result that the clutch spring slips-upon the cylindrical clutch surfaces. Moreover, counterclockwise rotation ofthe; winding shaft-12 is prevented by the coilsp'ring 30 tightening upon the clutch surfaces Hand 29, thus precluding relative rotation between the shaft and: the fixed element [3.

-The-ratchet teeth 42 are adapted to be engaged by the pawl 45 when the required length of film has been metered out. This precludes further windingof the film upon the sp00-132 and yet permits the lever 38 to. return to its initial position when released, the pawl riding over the ratchet teeth. Fig. 1 shows the ratchet not yet engaged by the pawlwhile Fig. 2-illustrates' the pawl in engagementwith the ratchet. The pawl may be actuated by any known film metering mechanism such as, for example, that described in, the patent to Nagel cited above. It is apparent, too, that the ratchet teeth may be provided on some element of the winding-.inechanism other than thelever, as, for example, on the windin'g shaft or pinion. The windingdevice, de-. scribed herein, however, maybe employed inde pendent of any film metering means and the ratchet teeth 42 omitted. In such anapplication the film may be wound until some marking upon the film. or paper backing is observed through an observation window in the camera; And, as indicated above, the Winding mechanism described herein will have application in devices other than, cameras wherever an efficient, rapid, hand-winde ing mechanism is desired. I

From the foregoing description, it will beapparent. that I have provided means for obtaining all the objects and advantagesof'this invention.

What I claim and desire'to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1.- A film winding device for a roll film camera; comprising a winding shaft member having a. boss adjacent each end-of the shaft, each boss having a cylindrical clutch surface, means adapted. to impart unidirectional rotation to said: winding shaft member rotatablymountedon said member and including a projectionha-ving a cylindrical clutch surface poistioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cylindrical surface on one of said bosses, a continuous coil spring wound about saidadjacent cylindrical surfaces, means adapted to be non-rotatably secured to the camera, said winding shait memberbeing journalled in said latter means, said latter means having a cylindrical clutch surface positioned adjacent to'and of curvature similar to the cylindrical surface-on the other of said bosses, a second continuous coil spring wound about the latter cylindrical surfaces to permit unidirectional rotatlon of the winding'shaft member relative to said latter mans, said coil springs being wound in opposite directions. v

2. A film winding device for a roll film camera comprising a winding shaft member having film spool engaging means at one end and having a 6v boss adjacent each end of the shaft, each boss having acylindrical clutch surface, toothed means adapted to impart unidirectional rotation to said winding shaft member rotatably mounted on said member and including a projection having a cylindrical clutch surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cylindrical surface on one of said bosses, a continuous coil s ring wound about saidadjacent cylindrical surfaces, means adapted to be non-rotatably secured to the camera, said winding shaft memberbeing journalled in said latter means, said lattermeans having a cylindrical clutch surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cylindrical surface on the other of said bosses, a second continuous coil spring wound about the latter cylindrical surfaces to permit unidirectional roe tation of the winding shaft member relative to saidlatter means, said coil springs being wound in opposite directions, and a toothed winding element in engagement with said toothed means adapted to be pivotally connected to the camera.

-3. A film winding device for a roll film camera comprising a winding shaft member having film spool-engaging meansat one end and having a boss: adjacent each 'end of the shaft, each boss" having a cylindrical clutch surface, a pinion adapted to. impart unidirectional rotation to said winding shaft member rotatably mounted on said member and including a projection having a cy-' lindrical clutch surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cylindrical sur face on one of said bosses, aconti-nuouscoil spring wound about said adjacent cylindrical surf-aces, means adapted to be non-rotatably secured to the camera, said winding shaft member being journalled in said latter means, said latter means having a cylindrical clutch surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cy-- lindrical surface on the other of said bosses, a second continuous coil spring wound about the latter cylindrical surfaces to permit unidirectional rotation of the winding shaft member relative to said latter means, said coil'springs being wound in opposite directions, and a spring-biased winding element adapted to be pivotally connected to the camera and having a gear sector whichengages said pinion.

4.- A film winding device for a roll film camera 7 comprising a winding shaft member having film spool engaging means at one end and having a boss adjacent each end of the shaft, each boss having a cylindrical clutch surface, a pinion adapted to impart unidirectional rotation to said winding shaft rotatably mounted on said member and including a projection having a cylindrical clutch surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cylindrical surface on one-of said bosses, a continuous coil spring wound about said adjacent cylindrical surfaces, means adapted to be non-rotatably secured to the camera, said winding shaft member being journall ed in said latter means, said latter means. having a cylindrical clutch surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cylinadapted to ,be pivotally connected to the camera and having a gear sector which engages said pinion.

5. In a roll film camera including a pawl actuated by a film metering device, a film winding device comprising a winding shaft member having film spool engaging means at one end and having a boss adjacent each end of the shaft, each boss having a cylindrical clutch surface, toothed means adapted to impart unidirectional rotation to said winding shaft member rotatably mounted on said member and including a projection having a cylindrical clutch surface positioned adjacent toand of curvature similar to the cylindrical surface on one of said bosses, a continuous coil spring wound about said adjacent cylindrical surfaces, means adapted to be nonrotatably secured to the camera, said winding shaft member being journalled in said latter means, said latter means having a cylindrical surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cylindrical surface on the other of said bosses, a second continuous coil spring wound about the latter cylindrical surfaces to permit unidirectional rotation of the winding shaft member relative to said latter means, said coil springs being wound in opposite directions, and a toothed winding element having a ratchet thereon adapted to be pivotally connected to the camera, said toothed winding element being in engagement with said toothed means, the ratchet being adapted to be engaged by the pawl actuated by the film metering device.

6. In a roll film camera including a pawl actuated by a film metering device, a film winding device comprising a winding shaft member having film spool engaging means at one end and having a boss adjacent each end of the shaft, each boss having a cylindrical clutch surface, a pinion adapted to impart unidirectional rotation to said winding shaft member rotatably mounted on said member and including a projection having a cylindrical clutch surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cylindrical surface on one of said bosses, a continuous coil spring wound about said adjacent cylindrical surfaces, means adapted to be non-rotatably secured to the camera, said winding shaft member being journalled in said latter means, said latter means having a cylindrical surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cylindrical surface on the other of said bosses, a second continuous coil spring wound about the latter cylindrical surfaces to permit unidirectional rotation of the winding shaft member relative to said latter means, said coil springs being wound in opposite directions, a sleeve fitting loosely and in close proximity about at least one of said coil springs, and a spring-biased winding element adapted to be pivotally connected to the camera and having a gear sector and a ratchet sector thereon, the gear sector engaging said pinion and the ratchet sector being adapted to be engaged by the pawl actuated by the film meterin device.

'7. In a roll film camera, the combination with a film metering device adapted to be secured to the camera and a pawl actuated by the film metering device, of a non-rotatable element adapted to be secured to the camera, said element having a cylindrical clutch surface, a winding shaft member journalled in said element and having film spool engaging means at one end and having a boss adjacent each end of the eluding a projection having a cylindrical clutchv surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the other of said cylindrical surfaces on said bosses, a second continuous coil spring wound about the latter cylindrical surfaces whereby rotation of said toothed means may, impart unidirectional rotation to said winding shaft member, said coil springs being woundjin opposite directions, and a toothed winding element having a ratchet thereon adapted to beya.

pivotally connected to the camera, said toothed winding element meshing with said toothed means and the ratchet being engageable by the,

pawl actuated by the film metering device.

8. In a roll film camera, the combination with a film metering device adapted to be secured to the camera and a pawl actuated by the film metering device, of a non-rotatable element adapted to be secured to the camera, said element having a cylindrical clutch surface, a winding shaft member journalled in said element and having film spool engaging means at one end and having a boss adjacent each end of the shaft, each boss having a cylindrical clutch surface, one of which surfaces is positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the cylindri-i cal surface on the non-rotatable element, a continuous coil spring wound about said adjacent cylindrical surfaces to permit unidirectional rotation of the winding shaft member relative to the non-rotatable element, a pinion rotatably mounted on said shaft member and including a projection having a cylindrical clutch surface positioned adjacent to and of curvature similar to the other of said cylindrical surfaces on said bosses, a second continuous coil spring wound about the latter cylindrical surfaces Wherebyrotation of said pinion may impart unidirectional rotation to said winding shaft member, said'coil springs being wound in opposite directions, a sleeve fitting loosely and in close proximity about at least one of said springs, and a spring-biased winding element adapted to be pivotally connected to the camera and having a gear sector and a ratchet sector thereon, the gear sector meshing with said pinion and the ratchet being engageable by the pawl actuated by the fiJm' meterin device.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS DOUGLASS C. HARVEY. 

